On Saturday we were told to remain at the hostel instead of going to work because there were some protests going on in the city. We took this opportunity to get to know our campus a bit better and we also met some people who also stay there. We spent the afternoon playing badminton which was completely ridiculous in the climate! But it gave us a chance to make some friends so I put up with the heat. Then in the evening they taught us an Indian board game which was very difficult but good fun! It was nice to finally be talking to some people our own age.
Then on Sunday some friends took us to Golconda Fort in Hyderabad which was fantastic. This was our first proper outing in India so it was full of many 'firsts'. It was our first time crossing the roads which was truly terrifying, our first time in an auto-rickshaw, also terrifying, and our first time on public transport (getting on and off buses while they are moving), equally terrifying. The fort was incredible, the views were amazing! We received a lot of attention throughout the day with people repeatedly asking to get their photo taken with us and following us around. They clearly don't get a lot of tourists in Hyderabad. Another interesting point; it cost our Indian friends 5 rupees to enter the fort, it cost us 100 rupees. After getting thoroughly drenched, we then headed into the city centre to a shopping mall and had a look around, ending up in McDonalds. Believe me when I say it did not taste the same as it does in the UK!
Today the President of Liberia was visiting the hospital and giving a lecture which we attended. We got up very early to catch the 6.15 bus to work and were surprised to see police patrolling the hospital with dogs! Security was very tight. The lecture was so inspirational. The President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is a remarkable woman who was the first female Head of State in Africa and recently won the Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent protests for women's rights. She was visiting the hospital due to admiration of the work done there and also to set up a partnership in order to help improve eye care facilities in Liberia, a country who's health care system has suffered since their civil war. The whole event was broadcast to other LVP centres and photographers were constantly snapping away for the whole event making it feel like a press conference. It was such an amazing opportunity to be able to attend the event and I hope chances like that continue to crop up throughout my year.
So tomorrow is my 18th birthday! I am very much looking forward to it even though it won't feel quite the same being away from home. It will be strange not celebrating with my family and friends. But I think I will be doing something with the hosts at my project so although it won't be like a normal birthday it will hopefully be a memorable one!
Then on Sunday some friends took us to Golconda Fort in Hyderabad which was fantastic. This was our first proper outing in India so it was full of many 'firsts'. It was our first time crossing the roads which was truly terrifying, our first time in an auto-rickshaw, also terrifying, and our first time on public transport (getting on and off buses while they are moving), equally terrifying. The fort was incredible, the views were amazing! We received a lot of attention throughout the day with people repeatedly asking to get their photo taken with us and following us around. They clearly don't get a lot of tourists in Hyderabad. Another interesting point; it cost our Indian friends 5 rupees to enter the fort, it cost us 100 rupees. After getting thoroughly drenched, we then headed into the city centre to a shopping mall and had a look around, ending up in McDonalds. Believe me when I say it did not taste the same as it does in the UK!
Today the President of Liberia was visiting the hospital and giving a lecture which we attended. We got up very early to catch the 6.15 bus to work and were surprised to see police patrolling the hospital with dogs! Security was very tight. The lecture was so inspirational. The President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is a remarkable woman who was the first female Head of State in Africa and recently won the Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent protests for women's rights. She was visiting the hospital due to admiration of the work done there and also to set up a partnership in order to help improve eye care facilities in Liberia, a country who's health care system has suffered since their civil war. The whole event was broadcast to other LVP centres and photographers were constantly snapping away for the whole event making it feel like a press conference. It was such an amazing opportunity to be able to attend the event and I hope chances like that continue to crop up throughout my year.
So tomorrow is my 18th birthday! I am very much looking forward to it even though it won't feel quite the same being away from home. It will be strange not celebrating with my family and friends. But I think I will be doing something with the hosts at my project so although it won't be like a normal birthday it will hopefully be a memorable one!
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